Blowin’ My Horn! (Or, It’s all about Me!)

 

It’s been a doozy of a week so far. Deadly Spirits, the fourth book in my Mac McClellan Mystery series, has successfully rocketed skyward from Camel Press’ launch pad. The early reviews have been positive. My publisher is excited about the sales prospects, and my dog still loves me. I’ve even generously given myself a little pat on the back.

 

But please note there is no bragging allowed here, although one world-renowned athlete had this to say on the subject:

 

And another once uttered these inspiring words:

 

Are exuberance and/or excitement too closely related to the “B” word? I think not. Hey, isn’t a writer allowed to make a little noise in celebration after months of hard work finally pay off and the fruits of his/her labor materialize into a real, live book? Yes, books are alive; no one will ever convince me otherwise. Have you never felt the heartbeat between the covers as you hold a book in your hands? Of course you have. If you haven’t, you are not a reader. Enough said.

My agent called this morning with some heartening news that added more sugar to sweeten the week: a fat royalty check is on its way from the sales of my previous Mac mystery, Deadly Dunes. (Oh, be still my heart!) I know, I know, it’s only money. But wait, it’s more than that. It’s redemption! People are actually buying my books out there in Readerland. True, most writers would write if they never made a dime. Writers write! We must, it’s what we do. It’s in our blood. It’s either write, or explode. I’d also wager that writers would rather get paid for bleeding at the keyboard then to bleed for free. Through the years I’ve made money with my writing. Barring a miracle I’ll never get rich from my work, but knowing my “babies” are being cuddled and appreciated by others in this cold, cruel world means a lot to me. My ultimate dream is that someday, somewhere, a future reader will dust off a yellowing copy of one of my books, read it, and say: “Hey, this is good stuff. Never heard of the guy, but this is really good stuff!”

Now that’s something to blow your horn about!

 

 

~~~BIG GIVEAWAY for DEADLY SPIRITS!~~~

Sisters Laura Thomas (FUONLYKNEW-Laura’s Ramblins & Reviews), and Sherry Fundin (fundinmental—as eye see it) are hosting a TAG TEAM Review & Giveaway for Deadly Spirits at their respective blogs.

Prizes include a $25 Amazon gift card; 2 print copies of Deadly Spirits, and 4 ebooks. Contest runs from January 16-30. Very easy to enter—simply visit their blogs and answer an easy question in the comment section. Here are the URLs:

http://bit.ly/2j1iePQ  and  http://bit.ly/2jrS2B4

Please take advantage of this opportunity and enter at both blogs. And be sure to tweet, email, re-post, and spread the word far and wide. I sure will appreciate it! Thanks, and good luck to all!

I was born in Georgia way back in the last century, but grew up and lived most of my life on the Gulf Coast of the Florida panhandle in Panama City (beautiful beaches, girls galore–ah, the memories!). In 2004 my wife and I moved to the Upstate region of South Carolina in the shadows of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, a land of stunning vistas and numerous waterfalls. I enjoy playing guitar, fishing, camping, and bird watching. Mac, Kate, and other recurring characters continue to bug me until I sit down and write their stories as they dictate.

Visit my website: http://www.emichaelhelms.com/

And my Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/2eGkrSp

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/emichaelhelms

And at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/183472.E_Michael_Helms